digital (piano) keyboards

[Fat Tone]

I'm looking for a reasonable digital keyboard for my eldest. He's really keen (I've given him a few lessons on a modest Yamaha PSR) but I don't want to (and can't really afford to anyway) spend a huge amount in case it ends up unused, as is so often the case with pianos/keyboards. I think £200 is reasonable at this point, but I could manage £300 if it was worth it.

Looking on ebay electronic keyboards seem to go for a healthy percentage of their new price. I think I've settled on a digital piano rather than a real piano (for reasons of space, connecttivity and no tuning required, although they are often cheap) or a portable keyboard (because I'm a snob?), but I'm open to persuasion. I want him to have something that feels and sounds as much like a piano as possible, so 88 fully weighted keys with hammer action would seem to be the way to go.

So I'm looking for suggestions. Yamaha's seem to be the most popular, but relatively expensive. For much less than the used price of a Yamaha you can get more fully featured digital pianos from Chase or those sold by Gear4Music. But if they are no good...and reviews seem thin on the ground at this price range.

Ta,

T.

[ND66]

I have this Casio Privia PX-400R and love it.

It has 88 fully weighted keys with hammer action and I can open the windows on a humid day without worry that I'll have to tune the piano the next day.

Also, it doesn't limit you to piano only, my kids can goof around when they get bored paying Piano, and they love it!

.

[Fat Tone]

Cool. Can/do you use pedals with it?

[ND66]

Yup, 2 of them.

It my package had the piano with stand, bench, pedal and a mike. All $500 USD last year from Sam's Club.

All specks HERE: with a quick view of features on page 4.

Check their current line up here:

Privia Digital Pianos

The pedal that came with mine is cheap, looks like it came from a sawing machine but it works.

.

[Taz]

Have a look at Kawai as well

[Fat Tone]

I might have broken one or two rules, but I have just (literally) settled on and ordered a Yamaha NP30. It has 78 keys, a 'graded action', and a truly wonderful sound. Googling for videos of it in action gives some impressive results. It has cost £175 inc PSU, delivery and a 5-yr on-site warranty. I think that's a pretty good deal. Didn't want to spend any more in case the obvious happens.

[az]

If it does, you could still sell it with little loss.

That's how I persuaded myself to get a Pentax K20D

[cjolley]

If it does, you could still sell it with little loss.

That's how I persuaded myself to get a Pentax K20D

That works!? Man, I gotta upgrade my technique.

[Fat Tone]

Hehe. Works way too often for me!

[ND66]

I might have broken one or two rules, but I have just (literally) settled on and ordered a Yamaha NP30. It has 78 keys, a 'graded action', and a truly wonderful sound. Googling for videos of it in action gives some impressive results. It has cost £175 inc PSU, delivery and a 5-yr on-site warranty. I think that's a pretty good deal. Didn't want to spend any more in case the obvious happens.

For that money I'd give it a shot.

Just curious, let me know how close that “graded action” is to the “hammer action” of weighted keys, OK?

Andy.

[Fat Tone]

It arrived this morning, before 9am

Did a very quick test before packing away until his birthday. Although there was some packaging attached to the keyboard which brushes the front face of the keys when operated I could definitely feel the gradual difference in weight when moving up the keyboard. Touch response variation was excellent and sound quality from the built in speakers was quite impressive.

The whole keyboard is particularly light in weight, so I'll be sure to get a sturdy stand for it. I've ordered a sustain pedal.

Who did I say this was for?

[ND66]

Who did I say this was for?

I know, I know...

.